Submersible chronograph and counter

Abstract

A submersible device for keeping track of a swimmer's session transpired times. It includes a case which is pivotally adjustable in relation to a base, and which contains both a watertight and a ballast compartment to decrease the buoyancy of the device when in use in water. The device may include a lap counter and a proximity sensor activated by the proximity of a swimmer wearing a proximity transmitter. A high contrast liquid crystal display is used to improve visibility.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for timing swim laps comprising:
 a case having a front portion, a rear portion, and a ballast chamber wall that extends from the front portion to the rear portion to define a closed perimeter; 
 a resettable electronic chronograph contained within said case; 
 an electronic digital display operated by said chronograph, whereby said chronograph displays at least one elapsed time as measured by said chronograph; 
 a water tight compartment enclosing said chronograph, wherein the water tight compartment is disposed within said closed perimeter defined by said ballast chamber wall; 
 a weight; and 
 a ballast compartment adjacent to and surrounding said water tight compartment, wherein said ballast compartment includes holes that passively permit ingress and egress of water. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lap counter circuit, whereby a swimmer's laps are counted and displayed. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a weighted base pivotally supporting said case, wherein said case may be pivoted in relation to said base, said base is adapted to be submerged in a swimming pool and positioned on a pool floor of said swimming pool, and said base includes brackets that extend upward therefrom for pivotally supporting said case. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , which further comprises a magnetic sensor for sensing proximity of a magnetic transmitting device worn by a swimmer to said chronograph. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a weighted base pivotally supporting said case, wherein said case may be pivoted in relation to said base, said base is adapted to be submerged in a swimming pool and positioned on a pool floor of said swimming pool, and said base includes brackets that extend upward therefrom for pivotally supporting said case. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said ballast compartment surrounds the ballast chamber wall and the water tight compartment. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , which further comprises sensor means for sensing proximity of a swimmer to said chronograph. 
     
     
       8. A submersible timer that is positionable on a pool floor of a swimming pool for use by swimmers, the submersible timer comprising:
 a base having a bottom surface that is engageable with the pool floor, a top surface, a first bracket that extends upward from the top surface at a first end of the base, and a second bracket that extends upward from the top surface at a second end of the base; 
 a case having a front portion, a rear portion, a peripheral wall defined by the front portion and the rear portion, and a ballast chamber wall that is disposed inward from the peripheral wall and extends from the front portion to the rear portion, wherein a ballast chamber is defined between the ballast chamber wall and the peripheral wall, one or more ballast ports are formed in the case to passively permit ingress and egress of water into and out of the ballast chamber, a sealed chamber is defined inward of the ballast chamber wall between the front portion and the rear portion and is sealed against ingress and egress of water, and the case is positioned between and pivotally mounted to the first bracket and the second bracket of the base; 
 a resettable electronic timer disposed within the sealed chamber of the case for measuring at least one elapsed time; and 
 an electronic digital display operated by the resettable electronic timer, wherein the resettable electronic timer displays the at least one elapsed time. 
 
     
     
       9. The submersible timer of  claim 8 , wherein the ballast chamber extends continuously around the ballast chamber wall. 
     
     
       10. The submersible timer of  claim 8 , wherein the ballast chamber extends co-extensively with the peripheral wall. 
     
     
       11. The submersible timer of  claim 8 , wherein the ballast chamber wall is formed as an integral portion of one of the front portion of the case or the rear portion of the case, and a sealing member is provided to seal the ballast chamber wall with respect to the other of the front portion of the case or the rear portion of the case.